Method and device for urethral-vesicle anastomosis

ABSTRACT

An improved device and method are provided for securing the urethra to the bladder in surgery. 
     A trocar is provided for insertion into the urethra. The trocar is removably secured to the urethra for advancement of the proximal end toward the bladder. A sheath is inserted and secured to the bladder in order to assist in the advance of the bladder toward the urethra. The improved system permits medical personnel to clamp the urethra and bladder without the need for insertion of time consuming and laborious sutures. A method of securing the urethra and bladder using the disclosed apparatus is also provided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/618,373, filed Jul. 17, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,367 titledMETHOD AND DEVICE FOR URETHRAL-VESICLE ANASTOMOSIS, which application inturn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/144,429, filed Jul. 16, 1999, titled METHOD FOR URETHRAL-VESICLEANASTOMOSIS. The entirety of each of the above-mentioned applications ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the reconnection of theurethra and bladder after a radical retropubic prostatectomy.Specifically, the invention relates to a method and device forperforming a urethral-vesicle anastomosis.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a radical retropubic prostatectomy, the surgeon removes all or mostof the patient's prostate. Because the urethra travels through theprostate immediately before reaching the bladder, the upper part of theurethra is removed in the surgery. In order to restore proper urinaryfunctions, the bladder and the urethra must be reconnected.

Heretofore, surgeons would execute painstaking suturing operations withtiny, fine needles to reconnect these anatomical bodies. It has beenfound that the use of sutures for this purpose has caused certainproblems in recovery. These problems include necrosis of the suturedtissues, stricture of the urethra which impedes the flow of fluidthrough it, and a urethra-bladder connection which is not fluid-tight.In addition, when suturing the urethra to the bladder the surgeon ofteninadvertently pierces the nearby neurovascular bundle, which can causeincontinence or impotence.

The suturing process itself has also been found to be cumbersome,requiring the surgeon to grasp and stretch the bladder and urethratogether before making the fine sutures.

With radical retropubic prostatectomies becoming more common, a quickerand simpler way to reconnect the bladder and the urethra is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is an improved method for theanastomosis of the urethra to the bladder following a prostatectomy.

A further aspect of the present invention is an anastomosis procedurethat eliminates the use of sutures in the urethra-bladder junction.

A still further aspect of the present invention is an anastomosisprocedure with an improved means of grasping the urethra and bladder,bringing them together and holding them for the connection process.

A method and device are provided for the anastomosis of the urethra andbladder after radical retropubic prostatectomy. The surgeon inserts atrocar into the urethra and secures the bladder to the trocar with anexternal ring, or, alternatively, with at least one prong associatedwith the trocar. The surgeon then inserts a sheath into the bladder andsecures the bladder to the sheath with at least one prong. The trocarand the sheath are then advanced toward each other, and fit together inan end-to-end fashion. When the urethral tissue and the bladder tissueare in close proximity, the urethra and the bladder are reconnectedusing at least one clip. The urethra is secured to the bladder

In accordance with one preferred embodiment, a method is provided forsecuring the urethra to the bladder of a patient. The method comprisesthe steps of inserting a first approximation device into the urethra,securing the urethra to the first approximation devices inserting asecond approximation device into the bladder and securing the bladder tothe second approximation device. The method further comprises the stepof advancing the second approximation device toward the firstapproximation device so that a distal end of the urethra comes in closeproximity to a distal end of the bladder. The final step of the methodcomprises securing the urethra to the bladder.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, a method forsecuring the urethra to the bladder of a patient comprises the steps ofinserting a first approximation device into the urethra, securing theurethra to the first approximation device, inserting a secondapproximation device into the bladder and securing the bladder to thesecond approximation device. The method further comprises advancing thefirst approximation device and the second approximation device towardone another so that a distal end of the urethra comes in close proximityto a distal end of the bladder. Finally, the urethra is secured to thebladder.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment, there is provideda system for securing the urethra of a patient to the bladder of thepatient. This system comprises a first approximation device adapted tobe inserted into the urethra of the patient and a ring. The ring issuitable for placement on a exterior of the urethra for securing theurethra to the first approximation device. The system further comprisesa second approximation device adapted to be inserted into the bladder.The second approximation device has at least one prong on a cannula ofthe second approximation device. The prong secures the secondapproximation device to the bladder. The system further comprises atleast one clip. The clip is suitable to secure the urethra to thebladder once the urethra and bladder are within close proximity.

In accordance with still another preferred embodiment, there is provideda system for securing the urethra of a patient to the bladder of thepatient. The system comprises of first approximation device that has agenerally rigid cannula and at least one prong. The prong is moveablefrom a retracted position to an extended position on a exterior surfaceof the cannula to secure the urethra to the first approximation device.The system also comprises a second approximation device that has agenerally rigid cannula and at least one prong. The prong is moveablefrom a retracted position to an extended position on an exterior surfaceof the cannula to secure the bladder to the second approximation device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a trocar and sheath as used to join thebladder and urethra in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the trocar and sheath, and thejuncture of the bladder and urethra;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a sheath;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sheath;

FIG. 5 is a close-up perspective view of the distal end of a sheath;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a sheath;

FIG. 7 is a detail cross-section view of the proximal end of a sheath;

FIG. 8 is a second detail cross-section view of the proximal end of asheath, oriented 90° to the view in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a detail cross-section view of the distal end of a sheath;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a trocar inaccordance with the invention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views of the joining of thebladder and urethra tissues, employing another embodiment of the trocarand sheath;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a dual approximator;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a dual approximator, with the bladdereverting device displaced in the distal direction;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a dual approximator;

FIG. 15 is a detail cross-sectional view of the proximal end of a dualapproximator;

FIGS. 16A-16C are side elevation, side cross-section, and perspectiveviews of a bushing and everting wire assembly for use with a dualapproximator;

FIG. 17 is a detail cross-sectional view of the distal end of a dualapproximator; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the use of the dual approximator tojoin the bladder to the urethra.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 depicts, among other things, the relevant anatomical structuresof a patient following a radical retropubic prostatectomy. The urethra10 has been separated from the bladder 12 by virtue of the removal ofthe prostate (not shown). The urethra 10 must therefore be re-attachedto the bladder 12 at the bladder outlet 14.

To rejoin the bladder and urethra, a urethra approximation trocar 16,comprising a proximal end 18 and a tapered distal end 20, may beinserted into the urethra 10 via the urethral outlet in a manner knownto those skilled in the art. The trocar 16 is preferably constructed ofa stiff plastic or metal to provide sufficient rigidity despite across-sectional area small enough to permit the trocar 16 to passthrough the urethra. The trocar 16 is advanced within the lumen of theurethra 10 so that the tapered or rounded distal end 20 of the trocar 16emerges from the urethral passage. The urethra 10 is then secured to thetrocar 16 in a manner which will prevent the urethra 10 from slidingbackwards, away from the tapered distal end 20 of the trocar 16, whenthe trocar is subsequently advanced toward the bladder 12. Preferably,this is accomplished by a removable external ring 22 placed around theurethra 10 near the distal end 20, securing the urethra 10 to the trocar16. Another method to secure the urethra with respect to the trocar isby means of one or more everting prongs extendable from the outersurface of the trocar 16 near the distal end 20. (This is similar to theeverting prongs 30 extendable from the sheath 24, the operation of whichwill be discussed in greater detail below.) The prongs evert the urethratissue from the trocar shaft, pushing it out radially to facilitateattachment.

FIG. 1 also depicts a urethra approximation sheath 24 having an evertingknob 26 on the proximal end 28 and multiple everting prongs 30 near thedistal end 32. The distal end 32 also forms a cavity 34 which is sizedso as to snugly receive the tapered end 20 of the trocar 16 (see FIG.2). As with the trocar 16, the sheath 24 is preferably constructed of astiff plastic or metal to provide sufficient rigidity despite across-sectional area small enough to permit the sheath 24 to passthrough the bladder outlet 14.

To insert the sheath 24, the surgeon first makes an abdominal incision36 to gain access to the bladder 12. The sheath 24, with everting prongs30 in a retracted position, is inserted into the incision 36 and isadvanced toward the bladder outlet 14 so that the distal end 32 of thesheath 24 emerges from the bladder outlet 14. By manipulation of theeverting knob 26, the everting prongs 30 are extended from the sheath 24and positioned inside the bladder 12 such that they engage the bladdertissue near the bladder outlet 14, securing the bladder 12 with respectto the sheath 24. The everting prongs 30 thus prevent the bladder 12from sliding backward on the sheath 24, away from the distal end 32 ofthe sheath 24, when the sheath 24 is subsequently advanced toward theurethra 10. In addition, the everting prongs 30 pull the tissue of thebladder 12 both longitudinally and radially to facilitate the eventualapplication of one or more clips to the junction of the bladder andurethra (see FIG. 2).

With further reference now to FIG. 2, the surgeon advances the sheath 24toward the trocar 16, stretching the bladder 12 in the process. In oneembodiment, the surgeon also moves the trocar 16 toward the sheath 24,stretching the urethra 10 in the process. When the trocar 16 and thesheath 24 meet, the tapered distal end 20 of the trocar 16 enters thecavity 34 in the distal end 32 of the sheath 24, to an extent sufficientto enable the urethral tissue and the bladder tissue to press togetheras shown. Fit together in this manner, the trocar 16 and the sheath 24can retain the tissues in this orientation suitable for the connectionprocess, in a “hands-free” manner. The tissues of the urethra 10 and thebladder 12 are subsequently clamped together using one or more externalclips 38, around the circumference of the urethra-bladder attachment.The application of the clips may effect disengagement of the bladdertissue 12 from the everting prongs 30. In one embodiment, VCS clips areused to secure the urethral tissue to the bladder. The clips 38 may beapplied either individually, or simultaneously in a “one-shot” fashion.

After the application of the clips 38, the external ring 22 is removed,releasing the trocar 16 from the urethra 10. The surgeon is now able toremove the trocar 16 via the urethral outlet in a manner known to thoseskilled in the art. Similarly, the sheath 24 may be moved in theproximal direction, after retracting the everting prongs 30 bymanipulation of the everting knob 26. The sheath 24 exits the bladder 12through the incision 36.

FIGS. 3-9 show the components of the sheath 24 in detail. The sheath 24has an elongated cannula 40 with a cavity 34 in the distal end 32 and aneverting knob 26 near the proximal end 28. FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 show asheath 24 which is straight; advantageously, the sheath may be curved asseen in FIG. 1, to promote ease of insertion and use. (Similarly, thestraight instruments seen in FIGS. 10, 12, 13 and 14 may also be curved,to obtain the same advantages.) The everting knob 26 engages threads 42near the proximal end of the sheath so that rotating the everting knob26 causes it to advance in the desired direction (either distally orproximally) along the threaded portion of the sheath 24. Knurling 44 isprovided on both the cannula surface and the everting knob to facilitateeasy gripping of the knob and sheath during surgery. Best shown in FIG.5, a number (preferably 4-6) of openings 46 are distributed radiallyabout the circumference of the cannula 40, near the distal end 32. Theopenings 46 permit everting prongs (not shown) to extend from, orretract into, the cannula 40 when the everting knob 26 is rotated.

As seen in FIG. 6, an everting tube 48 is disposed within a lumen 50 ofthe cannula 40 and is coaxial with the cannula 40. The everting tube 48fits snugly within the lumen 50 but can easily move longitudinallywithin the cannula 40 in both the distal and proximal directions. Nearits proximal end the lumen 50 widens at a neck 52 to take on alarger-diameter cross section proximal of the neck 52. Correspondingly,the everting tube 48 widens to form a stub 54 disposed within thelarger-diameter portion of the lumen 50. The neck 52 coacts with thestub 54 to limit the travel of the everting tube 48 in the distaldirection.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the proximal end 28 of the sheath 24 in detail. Notethat FIGS. 7 and 8 are oriented 90° with respect to one another, so thatFIG. 7 may be considered a side view and FIG. 8 a top view. Alongitudinal slot 56 is formed in the wall of the cannula 40 near theproximal end 28. The slot 56 permits an allen screw 58 to extend from athreaded hole 60 in the stub 54 beyond the external wall of the cannula40 and into a space 62 formed by a radial groove 64 in the everting knob26, between distal and proximal walls 66, 68.

With the screw 58 in place, one can cause the everting tube 48 to movein either the distal or proximal direction by manipulating the evertingknob 26. If the everting knob 26 is rotated so as to advance in thedistal direction, the proximal wall 68 of the radial groove 64 bears onthe screw 58 as the everting knob advances distally, causing theeverting tube 48 to move distally within the lumen 50. Similarly, if theeverting knob 26 is rotated so as to advance in the proximal direction,the distal wall 66 of the radial groove 64 will bear on the screw 58,causing the everting tube 48 to move proximally within the lumen 50.

Referring momentarily to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the distal end ofthe everting tube 48 is connected to a bushing 70, which is disposedwithin the lumen 50 and is moveable both distally and proximallytherein. Best seen in FIG. 9, the bushing 70 forms a longitudinal socket72 and two threaded holes 74 intersecting the socket 72. The socket 72receives the proximal ends of a number of everting wires 76, and screws78 threaded into the holes 74 clamp the everting wires 76 into thebushing 70.

The everting wires 76 extend distally from the bushing 70 into angledchannels 80 that correspond to the openings 46 in the distal end of thecannula 40. The angled channels 80 force the distal ends of the evertingwires, when moved distally, to extend from the cannula so as to formeverting prongs 30 (see FIG. 2). Similarly, the everting wires 76retract into the angled channels 80 when moved proximally.

Thus it can be seen that rotation of the everting knob 26 in the desireddirection will extend or retract the everting prongs 30. When theeverting knob 26 is rotated in a direction causing the everting tube 48to move distally, the everting tube 48 pushes the bushing 70 in thedistal direction, forcing the everting wires 76 to extend from theopenings 46 and form everting prongs. By rotating the everting knob 26in the opposite direction, the everting tube 48 moves proximally andpulls the bushing 70 proximally as well, causing the everting wires 76to retract into the angled channels 80.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the trocar 16, which employsthe same everting-prong mechanism as the sheath discussed above. Thistype of trocar also has a tapered distal tip 20 which fits snugly intothe cavity formed in the distal end of the sheath.

FIG. 11A depicts the use of the everting-prong mechanism of the sheath24 with the bladder tissue 12. Additionally, FIG. 11A shows the use ofthat version of the trocar 16 employing a similar mechanism, with theurethra 10. After positioning the distal end 32 of the sheath 24 nearthe bladder outlet 14, the surgeon extends the everting prongs 30, whichengage the bladder tissue 12, everting the bladder outlet 14 and holdingit in a suitable position for attachment to the urethra 10. When using atrocar 16 equipped with everting prongs 30, the surgeon inserts thetrocar 16 into the urethra 10 and positions the distal end 20 near theopening of the urethra 10. In a similar manner the everting prongs 30are extended so as to evert the tissue near the end of the urethra 10 inthe desired position for reattachment.

After everting both the bladder and urethra tissue, the surgeon bringsthe trocar 16 and sheath 24 together so that the tapered distal end 20of the trocar 16 fits into the cavity 34 of the sheath, and the bladderand urethra tissue meet. Upon joining the trocar and sheath, the surgeonhas both hands free to perform final alignment of the bladder andurethra tissue, and apply the clips 38 as shown in FIG. 11B.

FIGS. 12-14 show yet another embodiment of the instruments to be used inthe present invention. This embodiment enables a surgeon to perform theoperation without making an incision in the bladder (otherwise needed toinsert the sheath) by combining the functions of the trocar and thesheath in a dual approximator 100 to be used transurethrally.

The dual approximator 100 has an elongated cannula 102 with a roundeddistal end 104, two sets of openings 106 in the surface of the cannula102 for the bladder and urethra everting prongs 108, 110, and a bladdereverting knob 112 and a urethra everting knob 114 near the proximal end.As seen in FIG. 13, The cannula 102 is separable at a point 116 betweenthe two sets of openings 106, into a bladder everting unit 118 and aurethra everting unit 120. This separation feature permits the bladdereverting unit 118 to move distally, into the bladder opening asnecessary. Preferably, the bladder and urethra everting prongs 108, 110are radially staggered with respect to one another so that the two setsof prongs will not “collide” when extended.

The urethra everting unit 120 resembles the sheath described above, withsome additions best seen in FIG. 14. A central channel 122 runs alongthe centerline of the urethra everting unit 120, through the distal end124, bushing 126, everting tube 128 and stub 130. A bladder evertingknob 112 is located proximal of a urethra everting knob 114, and engagesthreads on the outer surface of the cannula 102 so that rotation of thebladder everting knob 112 causes it to advance in the desired direction(either distally or proximally) along the threaded portion of thecannula 102. Best seen in FIG. 15, a radial channel 134, longitudinalslot 136, screw 138, and block 140 coact in a manner similar to thatdisclosed above with respect to the everting knob 26 on the sheath 24,to cause the block 140 to move longitudinally within the lumen 142 ofthe cannula 102 in response to rotation of the bladder everting knob 112in the desired direction.

Attached to the block 140 is a bladder everting rod 144 which runsthrough the central channel 122 and out the distal end 124, continuinginto the bladder everting unit 118 (see FIG. 14). To accommodate thecentral channel 122 and bladder everting rod 144, the bushing 126 ismodified as shown in FIGS. 16A-16C, and 17. Urethra everting wires 146are bent 90° at the proximal ends and are received in slots 148 formedat the distal end of the bushing 126. The central channel 122 and thebladder everting rod 144 (best seen in FIG. 17) pass through the bushing126, and the bladder everting rod 144 continues distally through a space150 formed between the urethra everting wires 146. This arrangement ofthe bushing 126 and urethra everting wires 146 permits the bladdereverting rod 144 and urethra everting wires 146 to move freely withrespect to each other within the cannula 102 without interference.

Referring again to FIGS. 12-14, the bladder everting unit 118 is locatedat the distal end of the dual approximator 100, and has a relativelyshort cannula 152 with a lumen 154 and a rounded distal tip 104. Theproximal end 156 is tapered, in the same way as the distal end of thetrocar 16, to fit within the cavity 158 formed in the distal end 124 ofthe urethra everting unit 120. Near the proximal end 156 are located anumber (preferably 4-6) of openings 106 distributed radially about thecircumference of the cannula 152. As seen in FIG. 17, the centralchannel 122 continues from an opening 160 in the proximal tip, along thelongitudinal axis of the bladder everting unit 118, to the proximal endof the lumen 154.

A bushing 162 is disposed within the lumen 154 and is moveable bothdistally and proximally therein. The bladder everting rod 144 passesthrough the central channel 122, into the lumen 154, and to the bushing162. The bushing 162 forms a longitudinal socket 164 and two threadedholes 166 which intersect with the socket 164. The socket 164 receivesthe distal ends of a number of bladder everting wires 168 and thebladder everting rod 144, and screws 170 threaded into the holes 166clamp the wires 168 and rod 144 into the bushing 162.

The bladder everting wires 168 extend proximally from the bushing 162into angled channels 172 corresponding to the openings 106 in theproximal end of the bladder everting unit 118. The angled channels 172force the proximal ends of the everting wires 168, when movedproximally, to extend from the cannula 152 so as to form everting prongs108. Similarly, the bladder everting wires 168 will retract into theangled channels 172 when moved distally.

Thus, by reference especially to FIGS. 14 and 17, it can be seen thatrotation of the bladder everting knob 112 in the desired direction willextend or retract the bladder everting prongs 108. When the bladdereverting knob 112 is rotated in a direction causing the bladder evertingrod 144 to move proximally, the bladder everting rod 144 will pull thebushing 162 in the proximal direction, forcing the bladder evertingwires 168 to extend from the openings 106 and form bladder evertingprongs 108. By rotating the bladder everting knob 112 in the oppositedirection, the bladder everting rod 144 moves distally and pushes thebushing 162 distally as well, causing the bladder everting wires 168 toretract into the angled channels 172.

The bladder everting knob 112 also expands or contracts the distancebetween the urethra everting unit 120 and the bladder everting unit 118.When the bushing 162 in the bladder everting unit 118 remains relativelyimmobile, rotation of the bladder everting knob 112 so as to move thebladder everting rod 144 distally or proximally, causes a correspondingdistal or proximal movement of the bladder everting unit 118.

FIG. 18 details the use of the dual approximator 100 in performing theanastomosis procedure. The surgeon inserts the dual approximator 100into the lumen of the urethra 10, through the urethral outlet, in amanner known to those skilled in the art. The dual approximator 100 isadvanced within the lumen of the urethra 10 until the distal end of thedual approximator 100, including the bladder everting unit 118, emergesfrom the opening. Next the surgeon rotates the bladder everting knob soas to move the bladder everting unit 118 distally and create a suitablegap between the bladder everting unit 118 and the urethra everting unit120. The bladder everting unit 118 is then inserted into the bladderopening 14, to a point where the openings 106 in the bladder evertingunit 118 are properly aligned within the bladder 12. The surgeon thenrotates the bladder everting knob to extend the bladder everting wires168 from the openings 106, forming everting prongs 108, until the tipsof the prongs 108 contact and evert the bladder tissue 12. Similarly,the surgeon rotates the urethra everting knob to evert the end of theurethra 10 as desired. The surgeon then brings the everted bladder andurethra tissue 12, 10 together by further rotating the bladder evertingknob until the tapered proximal end 156 of the bladder everting unit 118meets the cavity 158 in the distal end of the urethra everting unit 120.At this point the surgeon will have both hands free to perform finalalignment of the bladder and urethra tissue 12, 10, and apply the clips38 in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 11B. After applying the clips38, the surgeon rotates the bladder everting knob to retract both setsof everting wires, and then withdraws the dual approximator 100 from theurethra 10.

The clips 38 perform a holding function, in a manner similar to suturesbut without penetration of the vessel walls. One example of a suitableclip for use in this procedure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,176,titled DEFORMABLE PLASTIC SURGICAL CLIP, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

The present invention utilizes a simple, effective mechanicalarrangement for reconnecting the bladder to the urethra. By eliminatingthe painstaking, cumbersome suturing techniques, urethral-vascularanastomosis techniques are improved. Furthermore, in the disclosedprocedure, there is provided improved apparatus for grasping andeverting the urethra and bladder tissues, leaving the surgeon's handsfree for performing the reconnection step of the anastomosis process.

By utilizing the disclosed techniques and apparatus, the number of stepsin the anastomosis procedure is decreased, minimizing cost and reducingthe required time for the procedure. The present invention eliminatesmany complications associated with other anastomosis techniques, such asstapling or suturing. Because the clips do not penetrate the vesselwalls, there is a decreased likelihood of clotting, which may causestricture. The clips also reduce the occurrence of necrosis, whichoccurs when insufficient blood is supplied to the joined tissues. Inaddition, the use of clips eliminates the possibility of piercing theneurovascular bundle with the suture needle(s), which piercing can causeimpotence and/or incontinence.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certainpreferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventionherein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosedembodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fairreading of the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for securing the urethra of a patient tothe bladder of the patient, the system comprising: a first elongatedmember adapted to be inserted into the urethra of the patient, the firstelongated member having a first mating end; a second elongated memberadapted to be inserted into the bladder of the patient, the secondelongated member having a second mating end; wherein the first matingend and the second mating end are adapted to receive one another so asto place the first elongated member and the second elongated member inend-to-end fitting engagement; and at least one clip, the clip beingsuitable to secure the urethra and the bladder once the urethra andbladder are within close proximity.
 2. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising a ring, the ring being suitable for placement on an exteriorof the urethra for securing the urethra to the first elongated member.3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one clip comprises atleast one VCS clip.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least oneclip comprises opposing grip portions which are configured to grip thebladder and urethra in a non-penetrating fashion.